During Christmas, it's easy for us to get wrapped up (pun intended) in the busyness of the season. It's easy for us to be worried or stressed about buying the perfect gift, decorating, or participating in all the festivities. All of this is good and should be enjoyed, but it's important we remember the reason for the season — Jesus!

Jesus' birth did not come out of nowhere; it was foretold throughout all of the Old Testament. Isaiah 7:14 says, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Not only do we see signs of Jesus' birth in Isaiah, but his glory and his mission as well. Isaiah 9:6-7 says, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."

In Luke 1:26-38, we see an angel come to Mary and tell her that she will bear a son. Can you imagine how crazy this must have been for Mary? She was a virgin and she was supposed to carry a baby. This must have also been tough on Joseph, who must have received a lot of criticism for not divorcing Mary. During Mary's pregnancy, they had to travel for a census. When they got to Bethlehem, there was no room in the inn, so she had to give birth to her son in a manger (Luke 2:7). Sometimes we forget how scary this must have been for Mary and Joseph and how unusual this truly was. But God was with them; we see this in Luke 1:28 and Luke 1:35.

An angel came and told the shepherds of the birth of Jesus, and they went to his resting place to see for themselves and to worship him (Luke 2:8-20). The three Wise Men followed the star to where Jesus was resting and gave him gifts and worshiped him (Matthew 2:1-12). Sometimes we forget about how magnificent and glorious of a moment this truly was. Matthew 2:10-11 says, "When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." And Luke 2:17 says, "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child." Let us be overcome with joy and worship the Lord in the same way as the Wise Men, and let us go into the world and share the great news just as the shepherds had done.

All of the gifts, decorations, and festivities are nice, but let us take a moment and remember the reason for the season — Jesus.